Daiwa Scholars 1996

Between them, the six Daiwa Scholars 1996 studied at five different universities from across the UK. Their studies encompassed English and Drama, English Language and Literature, History of Art, Mathematics, Mechanical Engineering and Psychology.

About the scholars

Duncan Castles

Duncan Castles completed an MSc (Hons) degree in Psychology in 1992 and a PhD in Primatology in 1996, both at St Andrew’s University.

Duncan’s homestay in Japan was in Matsushima Town in Miyagi Prefecture. His work placement was at the University of Tokyo where he undertook postdoctoral research in Evolutionary Psychology. He is currently a freelance journalist.

Gordon Jackson

Gordon Jackson completed a Master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering at Gonville and Caius College, University of Cambridge in 1996.

Gordon’s homestay in Japan was in Yamagata City in Yamagata Prefecture. His work placement was at the Daiwa Institute of Research where he worked in the International Section, learning about privatisation in the Mongolian cashmere industry and Polish railway. He also did placements with Itochu Trading Company and Ebara Manufacturing.

He is currently a Waste to Wealth Manager at Soneva Fushi Resort, Maldives.

Dr Opher Mansour

Opher Mansour completed a BA (Hons) degree in History of Art at Magdalene College, University of Cambridge in 1996.

Opher’s homestay in Japan was in Yamagata City in Yamagata Prefecture. His work placement was at the Shochiku Film Company. He is currently an associate Profesor at Hong Kong University.

Sophia Poznansky

Sophia Poznansky completed a BA (Hons) degree in English and Drama at Queen Mary and Westfield College in 1989. She has been working as an Assistant Lecturer in Drama and as Director of the Noh Theatre at Queen Mary and Westfield College.

Sophia’s homestay in Japan was in Toyama City in Toyama Prefecture. Her work placement was at Hosei University where she was based at the Noh Research Institute. She also did placements with the Tessenkai – Kanze Noh Theatre, Theatre Kai and Setagaya Public Theatre.

She is currently a freelance theatre director, actor and teacher with the Noh Theatre Project.

Catherine Price

Catherine Price completed a BSc (Hons) in Mathematics in 1993 and a PhD in Stochastic Analysis in 1996, both at the University of Warwick.

Catherine’s homestay in Japan was in Nagasaki City in Nagasaki Prefecture. Her work placement was at the Ministry of Education, at the Daiwa Institute of Research and at the Institute of Statistical Mathematics.

She is currently an Independent Consultant.

Jonathan Martin Shaw

Jonathan Shaw completed a BA (Hons) in English Language and Literature at Wadham College, University of Oxford in 1996.

Jonathan’s homestay in Japan was in Matsue City in Shimane Prefecture. His work placement was at the United Nations Industrial Development Organisation and at the British Council. He is a Founding Partner of Naked Tokyo & Lucky Voice Private Karaoke